“For someone who is not trusted behind the camera with my friends, I never saw myself to be behind the camera one day,” she said.
Aston Brown (Australia) and Fiji Sun sports journalist Sereana Salalo covering the Flying Fijians and Australia match at the Rugby World Cup, at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Étienne, France
The media industry worldwide has evolved over the years that more woman journalists are venturing into male dominated fields such as photography.
The ability to capture key moments that has graced the front pages of the Fiji Sun newspaper, this go getter from Buavou, Macuata is on a path to breaking barriers.
Meet Sereana Salalo, who is not only a sports journalist for the Fiji Sun but an aspiring sports photographer. Recently, she was amongst 19 photographers from around the world who gathered in Paris, France for a Canon and AFP partnership programme.
This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity opened doors for young and aspiring sports photographers, providing them with valuable training on various camera settings and the art of capturing compelling images.
Ms Salalo was one of two journalists from the Pacific who were part of this programme.
“For someone who is not trusted behind the camera with my friends, I never saw myself to be behind the camera one day,” she said.
“But being a sports journalist, the opportunity as such was timely to give me a chance to work on my photography skills.
“This AFP and Canon project has really taught me a lot in terms of sports photography from camera settings to taking pictures.
“It is still a learning journey for me and there are huge areas of improvement.”
Fiji Sun photo journalist Sereana Salalo with Samoa Observer journalist Manaui Faulalo at the Canon Paris office in France.
During her time in France, she also had the privilege of covering the match between the Flying Fijians and Australia at the Rugby World Cup, at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Étienne, France.
“It was such an honour and it was even sweeter when the Wallabies were defeated.”
“To have both my story and picture make it to page one of the Fiji Sun was one of the highlights of this photog- raphy rugby project.
“It has built my confidence as a woman that sports photography is not only for men but for anyone who can do it and is willing to learn.”
“I would like to also acknowledge my mentors who were of great help on this; Leon Lord, Saeed Khan and David Gray.”
Story by: laiseana.nasiga@fijisun.com.fj
